Note: This post was prepared with vim in Termux, after uninstalling Farmer Editor, because it is dev’d on microsoft github. Termux is too, but one thing at a time, and weighing cost/benefit…
I have Gadgetbridge on a spare phone, used to install OS updates on a semi-smart watch. All the behaviors described above are consistent with permissions listed in F-Droid: starts on boot, runs in background, watches bluetooth status (and much, much more). I also didn’t enjoy it popping into action whenever bluetooth was started for other reasons, but it is clearly consistent with Gadgetbridge’s intended functions. Gadgetbridge also gets kudos for dev’ on Codeberg.
Aside on coincidences: One poster who says he is in Russia opens a new account at the time Ukraine invasion was launching, with fud on Qksms, a very popular app. Another poster using Z, a symbol of Russian armed forces, or supporters, opens a new account now, as the invasion isn’t going so great, with fud on Gadgetbridge, a very popular app…
installing apps outside F-Droid.
I’ve had my own doubts on F-Droid, and whether their reviews add enough value to justify the slowness…
But why now? Is it spreading discontent and keeping minds distracted from bigger world events? Why suggest installing apps straight from dev’s? Could it be to make it even easier to spread malware, outside review channels (such as they are)?